Simba SC targets better preps, victory over Nkana FC

TANZANIA’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup, Simba SC, has said it needs good preparations before facing Zambia soccer giants, Nkana FC, in the first leg match of the first round of the competition away in Kitwe later this month.

SIMBA SC

Simba will be away to Nkana FC in Kitwe between December 14-15 and the return leg match has been slated take place two weeks later in Dar es Salaam.

The Tanzania soccer giants’ head coach, Patrick Aussem, said his team stands a good chance of beating the Zambia giants if the former prepare well, noting football needs good preparations.

He said he has a good squad, which is capable of rising to the occasion, but good preparations are vital.

"I have good players, who can play anywhere and bring the desired results, but preparations is very important, we have days to prepare and I am confident we can have good results against Nkana FC both away and at home," he said.

He said Simba are seeking an improved display in the premier continental club competition after having experienced mixed results in domestic league.

Simba SC and Nkana FC reached the first round of the continental competition after beating their opponents, Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows and Mozambique’s Uniao Desportiva do Songo respectively.

Simba cruised to 8-1 aggregate win over Mbabane Swallows in the preliminary stage whilst Nkana FC commanded a 3-1 aggregate win over Uniao Desportivo do Songo in the stage.

Both teams have a mixture of local and foreign players, who are also regulars in their national teams.

Simba, this time around, look extremely strong as they have assembled good players including Emmanuel Okwi, Clatous Chama, Meddie Kagere, John Bocco, Paschal Wawa, Nicholas Gyan and keeper, Aishi Manula, who have been influential in the team.

However, without good preparations both on and off the field, it will be difficult for Simba to overcome Nkana FC which also has assembled good players including Ronald Kampamba, Harrison Chisala, Idriss Mbombo, Festus Mbewe and Walter Bwalya.

Before meeting Uniao Desportiva do Songo in the first leg of the preliminary round, the Kitwe-based side, which is coached by Beston Chambeshi, camped in South Africa.

Chambeshi said his side needs to prepare well for the game against Simba and described the match as a balanced affair.

"Looking at Simba, I think they are also talking about Nkana, so it is a balanced affair, they also have Zambian player (Clatous Chama) in their team and we also have a Tanzanian player (Hassan Ramadhan) in our team, all we need is to prepare very well," he said.

Both teams use red as their primary colour and locked horns in the continental event in 2002, with Nkana beating Simba 4-0 in Kitwe before losing 3-0 in Dar es Salaam.